'Hot' neighborhood plans its 'renewal'

July 13, 2007|By Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz, RedEye

East Garfield Park, a mostly poor neighborhood between the Garfield Park Conservatory and the United Center, is experiencing a residential renaissance.

Dozens of vacant lots that have stood empty since race riots in the 1960s are slated to be turned into single-family homes, condos and two-flats, said Clifton Cooper, president of the East Garfield Park Community Coalition. Some 80 new residential units have been built since 1999, and another 150 units are expected to be built over the next five years, Cooper said.

The development, coupled with the neighborhood's proximity to downtown and location on the Green Line, spurred BusinessWeek in March to name East Garfield Park one of the nation's top 10 "next hot neighborhoods."

But it also holds another title -- a May study by the Greater Chicago Food Depository identified it as one of the top 10 Cook County communities with the greatest unmet food needs. The study highlighted areas with the highest poverty and least access to emergency food.

The burst of new development amid such poverty has raised common concerns associated with gentrification: fears of a lack of affordable housing and the displacement of low-income residents. But Cooper said the development strives to accommodate existing residents. Sixteen homes, which began construction in January, will be affordable housing, he said.

"We didn't look at it as gentrification," he said of the development efforts. "We looked at it as urban renewal."

The renewal is far from complete. Commercial development is "lagging far behind" housing construction, said Ernestine King of the Greater Garfield Park Chamber of Commerce. The plan is to recruit retailers in an attempt to turn Madison Street into a business corridor.

RedEye asked East Garfield Park residents what they think of their transforming neighborhood.

"It's like they're building for the people [who already live here] to get out of the neighborhood. If they're going to rebuild, they should rebuild so people who are low-income, like me, can afford it. I like this neighborhood, but I'm going to have to move. I don't know to where."

Paulette Mack, 56

"I'm seeing a lot more people moving in. This block [where I live] used to be dead, and now it's just so full. We have police officers living on the street, there haven't been as many fights, and most of the gangbangers don't really hang out here anymore."

Lakesha Richmond, 16

"The changes have been good. We have a lot more police riding, which has given people a chance to come out and feel safe. Neighbors get to meet neighbors now. Before, everyone would just stay in the house."